55km Indo-Myanmar border fencing completed, says Manipur home minister

Manipur’s home minister, Govindas Konthoujam, announced during a session of the Manipur legislative assembly on Wednesday that approximately 55 kilometers of the Indo-Myanmar border fencing has been completed. This marks progress toward securing the 398-kilometer stretch of the border, which runs from border pillar number 32 to 130. The announcement came in response to a calling attention motion raised by Congress MLA Konthoujam Ranjit Singh, who had expressed concerns over the proposed land swap deal between India and Myanmar and its potential impact on Manipur's territorial integrity. The home minister emphasized that the government is actively working to identify unsettled areas along the Indo-Myanmar border, particularly highlighting the sensitivity of border pillars 75 to 79 within the Moreh sector. He noted that these areas remain critical due to their strategic importance and the challenges posed by the porous nature of the border. The fencing project, he stated, is part of broader efforts to enhance security and curb illegal activities such as arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and unauthorized immigration. Konthoujam acknowledged delays in the fencing process, attributing them to logistical difficulties, including the transportation of materials. Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to completing the entire fencing project by 2028. He also addressed rumors of a land swap agreement with Myanmar, clarifying that no official communication regarding such a deal has reached the state government from the Ministry of External Affairs. The minister reiterated that the people of Manipur strongly oppose any action that might compromise the state's territorial boundaries. In addition to addressing security concerns, the home minister responded to allegations of violence and human rights violations in the region. He cited several incidents, including the abduction and killing of women and children in Jiribam, a bomb attack in Tronglaobi that killed two children, the murder of three Kuki church leaders in Saheibung, and an ambush along the Imphal-Tamei road that resulted in the deaths of four Naga civilians. In response to a query from Congress MLA Keisham Meghachandra Singh regarding justice for the victims, Konthoujam assured that the government has implemented enhanced security measures and deployed additional forces to restore law and order amid the challenging geography of the state. He further mentioned that four individuals have been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the killing of six Nagas. The cases are currently under investigation, and the government has transferred many of them to the NIA to ensure transparency and build trust among local communities, especially between the Meitei-Kuki and Kuki-Naga groups. Konthoujam highlighted the ongoing crisis and the need for improved relations among community leaders to bridge existing trust deficits. According to official records, a total of 9,647 cases have been registered since the May 3, 2023 clashes. Of these, 3,020 cases are being investigated by a newly formed Special Investigating Team (SIT), 312 have been charge-sheeted, 29 have been forwarded to the NIA, and 32 are under the jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The home minister stressed the government’s commitment to achieving peace through reconciliation, emphasizing that cooperation among community leaders is essential to address the underlying tensions.